Rays Playoff Hopes Evaporate in Loss
August 30, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Orlando Rays News Release
ORLANDO -Orlando's slim playoff hopes vanished in front of 9,186 at Cracker Jack Stadium Saturday as the Carolina Mudcats scored three times in the seventh inning, rallying past the Rays for a 5-4 win.
Leading 4-2 to start the seventh, Orlando committed two errors and gave up three hits in the inning, all off Carlos Hines (L, 0-1), giving Carolina a 5-4 lead. Orlando tried to rally over their final three at-bats, twice putting the tying run on second with one out but failing to cash in on their scoring chances.
Fernando Cortez and B.J. Upton each had two hits and scored twice, while John-Paul Davis was 2-3 with three RBI. Frank Moore launched a solo home run in the sixth inning to close out the scoring for the O-Rays.
With the loss Orlando's record moved to 31-33 on the second half and 63-70 overall, while Carolina is now 36-30, 78-56. Despite the loss leaving Orlando's 4.0 games back of the division-leading Mudcats with four games to play, the best the Rays could finish is 35-33, one win short of Carolina's total and thereby eliminating Orlando from playoff contention.
The Rays and Mudcats continue the series with a doubleheader tomorrow, with game one starting at 11:35 a.m. with the second game starting approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one. Orlando will send LHP Jason Cromer (1-4, 5.34) to the mound in game one, while Carolina counters with LHP Todd Marchbanks (NR). RHP Jim Magrane (9-6, 3.42) heads to the hill in game two of the twin bill in search of his 10th win of the season, while Carolina sends righty Donnie Bridges (10-2, 2.85) to the mound.
RAYS NOTES
· Tomorrow and Monday's scheduled doubleheaders will still be played in order to determine playoff seeding between Carolina and the Tennessee Smokies. Carolina, winners of the Southern League's first half division championship, reclaimed first place in the second half by virtue of their win and the Smokies 4-2 loss against Jacksonville. The teams remain just one-half game apart, with home-field advantage resting on the final standings. First-game start times for both days are 11:35 a.m.
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Southern League Stories from August 30, 2003
- Barons Edge Braves, 4-3 - Birmingham Barons
- BayBears let game slip away - Mobile BayBears
- Suns beat Smokies, 4-2 - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Rays Playoff Hopes Evaporate in Loss - Orlando Rays
- Smokies Fall To Suns - Knoxville Smokies
- Barons Lose to Braves, 3-2 - Birmingham Barons
- Hart Wins MVP, Kremblas Top Skipper - Huntsville Stars
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